Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1893 — The Spanish Bull. [ARTICLE]

The Spanish Bull.

The bulls for fighting purposes are a specially selected, specially oared for class. They are all pedigreed. Andalusia is especially the district of the bull. Hero, at the age of 1 year, the Sbulls are separated frbm the s, branded with the owner’s mark, and turned out loose on the plains to graze with others of their own age. When a year older, the young bulls are gathered together, in order that their mettle and fighting qualities may be tested. One of them is separated from the herd, and chased bv a man on horsebuek, who, by the skillful use of a bluntod lanoo, overthrows the esoaping bull, whereupon another rider oomos in front of the animal with a sharper lance, to withstand the expected attack. If the bull, on regaining his feet, attacks the rider twico, it is passed as a fighting animal; but if he turns tail and runs off, then it is set aside to be killed, or to be used in agricultural work. And so with eaoh animal, until the whole hord of 2-year-olds have beon tested. Eaoh bull that has stood the test successfully is then entered in the herd book, with a description of its appearance, and receives a name—sucn as Espartero or Hamenco, and the like. This process of careful selection goes on from year to year until the bull is 5 (years old, when, should its mettle still prove true, it is ready for tho arena, and flaming posters appear on the walls of Madrid or Seville announcing that Espartero (or whatevor his name is) will on such and such a date make its first and final appearance. A good “warrantable” 5-year-old bull for the fighting rings costs from £lo to £BO. M ; j